| Supplied Information: |
This CD-ROM contains seven activities. Holly leaf miner - explore the biology of this insect and its predators. Learn how to undertake a biological project to quantify mortality factors in the holly leaf miner. Cells and energy - investigate the structure and function of organelles found in cells. Mitosis, meiosis and recombination - look at the accompanying process of nuclear division, mitosis and the two successive nuclear divisions of meiosis. Galapagos: adaptation and evolution on Islands - study the variety of animals and plants found on the Galapagos Islands and the important biological concept of adaptation. Properties of minerals - explore six properties of minerals - colour, shape, lustre, hardness,cleavage and response to the acid test. Minerals gallery - discover the properties of ten minerals through animated three-dimensional images of both the minerals and their molecular structures. A geological field trip - take three 'virtual field visits' to sites in Southwest Britain to learn some basic geological field techniques |
| Review: |
Only the Biology component of this CD-ROM was reviewed.
This CD-ROM includes four biology activities.
The Holly Leaf Miner module (suggested study time 150 mins) involves students undertaking a field investigation of the sources of mortality to the holly by its leaf miner. The Cells and Energy module (suggested study time 90 mins) enables students to review the structure and function of cellular organelles and investigate the processes of respiration and photosynthesis.
In the Mitosis, Meiosis and Recombination module (suggested study time 105 mins) students are introduced to these processes. The Galapagos: Adaptation and Evolution on Islands module (suggested study time 120 mins) provides students with the opportunity to explore the diversity of plants and animals found on the Galapagos Islands with the view to introducing the concepts of adaptation, evolution and speciation.
The Discovering Science: Topics in Biology and Geology CD-ROM contains four biology modules (Note, only the Biology component reviewed); (i) Holly Leaf Miner (suggested study time 150 mins), (ii) Cells and Energy (90 mins), (iii) Mitosis, Meiosis and Recombination (105 mins) and (iv) Galapagos: Adaptation and Evolution on Islands (120 mins).
The Holly leaf miner module is excellent. However, its use to an Australian audience may be limited because of the taxonomic specificity of this activity. Students, after being introduced to this system, are guided through a field study involving data collection analysis and presentation of the mortality factors of holly resulting from herbivory by its leaf miner. The structure of the numerical activities is excellent and likely to be of great benefit to students who perceive numerical activities as difficult. The interactive resources provided are interesting and extensive but specific to this system.
Cells and Energy is an advanced module, probably beyond the level of most introductory biology subjects. This module begins with a quick review of the structure and function of cell organelles. Students then undertake a series of activities to familiarise themselves with the pathway of glucose oxidation and the reactions of photosynthesis. The cellular and subcellular animations are fabulous and the level of interactivity is excellent.
Mitosis, Meiosis and Recombination is one of the best multimedia resources that I have encountered for enhancing students' learning of the key phases and events of mitosis, meiosis and recombination. After viewing videos and animations students are provided with the opportunity to direct a cell through these processes. Useful feedback is provided throughout the activity.
In the Galapagos module students are introduced to the basic principles of evolution, adaptation and speciation by undertaking an exploration of Galapagos Islands. This module is also very good, however, the level of interactivity is more basic than that required by the Ecological Chains module, and thus the quality of the learning is unlikely to be as high. The interactivity sometimes just involves students completing a series of multiple choice exercises. Other activities involve students matching items correctly, for example, matching finch beak types with various food items and feeding mechanisms. This module has several annoying features which detract from the overall quality of the module. It is not possible to skip the introductory sections of the activity. This is particularly annoying when you are returning to the module to complete more advanced sections. In addition, there are times when insufficient information is provided to make informed decisions which leads to simply guessing answers.
This CD-ROM provides students with an excellent collection of resources for obtaining a solid introduction into some of the key concepts in biology. Students are able to work independently, without supervision, and at their own pace. The degree to which students can interact with the material varies between the modules, however, it is generally excellent. The activities range from structured tutorials which introduce some important and difficult topics in biology, to analytical exercises, to directed practical activities involving field work, data collection, analysis and interpretation. Students can access Help menus and glossaries at any time and are provided with ample opportunity to explore a wide range of additional resources. The CD-ROM ise easy to use and the instructions for each module are excellent, with a minor few exceptions.
Overall, I believe this package is an excellent teaching and learning resource that would complement any introductory biology program.
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